London Wall

The basics

Walking tours of central London, especially those with a focus on history, often include a stop at the London Wall, where you can see both the wall’s Roman foundations (the lower 13 feet, or 4 meters) and its medieval restorations (the upper 20 feet, or 6 meters).

Follow the London Wall Walk to explore all of the remaining parts of the wall. Under 2 miles (3 kilometers), the route starts from the Tower Hill site and traces the original line of the wall, much of which has now completely disappeared. Even so, you can still see several ruins, including a section of wall along Cooper’s Row, the base of a bastion tower at Vine Street, and the remains of a tower at the Museum of London.

Things to know before you go

• It’s worth visiting with a guide or audio guide, as some of the locations are tricky to find, and others are marked only with a plaque.

• The ruins often sit on uneven ground, so wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Not all sites are accessible.

• Do not attempt to walk on, climb on, or in any way damage the wall—help to preserve this important part of London’s history.

• All of the London Wall ruins are free to visit.

How to get there

The most visited section of the wall is located just southeast of Tower Hill underground station, bordering a small garden. It’s easy to reach on foot from the station—follow the route toward the Tower of London, and you’ll arrive at the garden about halfway down the steps to the Tower Hill Underpass.

When to get there

The open-air ruins of the London Wall can be viewed at any time, but it’s best to visit during the day for safety reasons. Summer weekends are the busiest time to visit, but the ruins rarely draw huge crowds. Choose a day with good weather if you want to walk the length of the wall, since you’ll be outdoors the entire way.

London’s Roman history

Londinium was founded by the Romans around AD 50, and the fortified city became the administrative capital of the province of Britannia, serving as a thriving port and center of trade. The London Wall once ran for about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) around the city, punctuated by four city gates. In addition to exploring the ruins, history buffs can dive deeper into London’s Roman history and see Roman artifacts excavated in the city at the British Museum and the Museum of London.

Ways to explore

Walking tours of central London, especially those with a focus on history, may include a stop at the London Wall, where you can see both the wall’s Roman foundations and its medieval restorations. These tours also tend to include other notable historical landmarks, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Guildhall, and Leadenhall Market.

More independent visitors can trace the path of the original wall, including at the Tower of London, Tower Hill, Cooper’s Row, and other sites. Or, seek out a private tour that may include a driver for ease in reaching the remnants of the wall.

Accessibility

As the London Wall consists of ancient ruins, not all sections are accessible, and some areas have uneven surfaces.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, refillable water bottle, hand sanitizer

What to wear

Walking shoes or footwear with good grip, comfortable clothing

Not allowed

Climbing, using drones without prior approval

Address

The most visited section of the wall is near the Tower Hill underground station. Most visitors arrive by public transport and then walk. It’s commonly visited on walking tours.

Driving

There isn’t a car park at the London Wall, and metered street parking is very limited, so public transport is recommended. If driving, the closest car park is Tower Hill Car and Coach Park on Lower Thames Street.

Public transportation

The London Wall is easy to reach by public transport. Tower Hill station is served by the Circle and District lines, while nearby Tower Gateway station is on the DLR. Bus route 15 also stops close to the site.

Best times to visit

For safety and good visibility when exploring the ruins, it’s best to come in the daytime, ideally in the morning.

Best days to visit

Weekends are busiest, so come on a weekday if you can.

Best months to visit

Summer months are typically busiest, so June or September may offer a more peaceful experience.

Special events

There are no festivals at the wall, but look for the ceramic poppies honoring fallen soldiers that appear at the Tower of London from May to November.